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Himachal Government Launches e-KYC for Land to Ensure Transparent Ownership Records
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 10 (Diary Times): In a significant step towards improving transparency and curbing fraudulent land transactions, the Himachal Pradesh government has introduced the e-KYC process for land records. This initiative is set to simplify land registration procedures while ensuring that ownership information remains precise and easily accessible to the public.
Patwaris have been assigned the task of conducting e-KYC for landowners, following comprehensive guidelines issued by the Director of Land Records to all Deputy Commissioners. This system will enable farmers and landowners to authenticate their ownership details through Aadhaar-based identification, effectively linking each land record to the individual’s unique Aadhaar number.
A major advantage of the e-KYC system is the generation of a unique land ID for each property, which will include detailed information about the property and its legitimate owner. This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in curbing benami transactions, where land is registered under someone else’s name to avoid taxes or legal responsibilities.
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To complete the e-KYC process, farmers will be required to submit key documents, including their jamabandi (land record), Aadhaar card, mobile number, and other relevant papers. After the process is finalized, the updated land records will be accessible via a mobile app created by the state’s Digital Technology and Governance Department, offering landowners instant access to their property details.
The new system also incorporates an SMS alert feature that notifies landowners of any changes in land classification or updates to their jamabandi, keeping them informed at all times. This digital overhaul is designed to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure that compensation is only granted to the rightful owners, bolstering transparency and security in land dealings.
Additionally, the e-KYC process will streamline the transfer of land ownership in cases where the previous landowners have passed away, but the transfer hasn’t been reflected in the official records. This will help resolve inheritance issues and ensure that the updated ownership details are accurately captured in the land records.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the system, Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to collaborate closely with Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars, ensuring that all Patwaris are equipped with the necessary mobile app. The app will facilitate the upload of Aadhaar card photos and track daily progress on e-KYC through Google Sheets. To encourage optimal performance, Patwaris who excel in their duties will be recognized and rewarded for their contributions.
This initiative represents a pivotal move towards enhancing the transparency, security, and accessibility of land records in Himachal Pradesh, providing significant benefits not only to landowners but also to the wider community.
